Omar Bennett
The Ismaili Constitution, also known as The World Constitution, is a unifying document that outlines the governance structure for all Nizari Ismailis and their religious institutions worldwide. The first Ismaili Constitution was issued in 1905 by the 48th Ismaili Imam, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, in the form of a set of written rules and regulations for the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims in East Africa. This constitution affirmed the Imam's authority and the distinct religious identity of the Ismailis. Over time, it underwent revisions and was published in multiple languages. In 1986, on his 50th birthday, Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim al Hussaini, the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, ordained a new constitution, further solidifying the principles of Imamat succession and the spiritual bond between the Imam and the global community of Ismaili Muslims. This constitution establishes various councils, defines disciplinary actions, and outlines the roles and responsibilities of community leaders, all while adhering to Islamic concepts and promoting unity, welfare, and collaboration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | 13 December 1986 |
| Writer | His Highness the Aga Khan |
| Occasion | His Highness the Aga Khan's 50th birthday |
| Previous Ismaili Constitution | Written in 1905 by the 48th Ismaili Imam, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III |
| Previous Ismaili Constitution | Revised and published several times until 1954 |
| Previous Ismaili Constitution | Known as "The Rules of the Shi'a Imamia Councils of the Continent of Africa" |
| Previous Ismaili Constitution | Available in English, Gujrati, and German |
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What You'll Learn
- The Ismaili Constitution was ordained in 1986 by His Highness the Aga Khan
- The Ismaili Constitution is a public document
- The Ismaili Constitution establishes the Leaders' International Forum
- The Ismaili Constitution gives a unifying structure of governance to all Nizaris
- The Ismaili Constitution was first written in 1905
The Ismaili Constitution was ordained in 1986 by His Highness the Aga Khan
The Ismaili Constitution, also known as "The World Constitution", was ordained in 1986 by His Highness the Aga Khan. This significant document was ordained on the auspicious occasion of his 50th birthday, on December 13, 1986. The Constitution gives a unifying structure of governance to all Nizaris and their religious institutions, which are established in over 35 countries and territories worldwide.
The Ismaili community is diverse, with members from various cultural, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds, yet they are united in their faith and allegiance to the Imam. The Constitution affirms all fundamental Islamic beliefs and focuses on the doctrine of the Imamate as envisioned within Nizari theology. It sets out the essence of Isma'ili Shi'i beliefs, affirming the shahādah lā ilāha illa-llāh, Muhammadur rasulu-llāh, and the Tawhid. It also establishes that Islam, as revealed in the Holy Quran, is the final message of Allah to mankind and is universal and eternal.
The Ismaili Constitution establishes the Leaders' International Forum, which meets periodically to discuss matters affecting the Jamat and make suggestions to the Imam. The Constitution also creates a hierarchy of councils, including national, regional, and local levels. These councils govern the affairs of the Ismaili community and help to maintain unity and collaboration between different peoples.
The Imam, as the leader of the Ismaili Muslims, has full authority over all religious and Jamati matters. The Constitution establishes the rules and regulations governing the appointment and duties of Mukhis and Kamadias, who are responsible for performing rituals, registering events, and maintaining order in their respective communities. It also protects the Ismaili flag, the Imam's name and personal information, and photos from being used for non-approved purposes.
The Ismaili Constitution has built-in flexibility, allowing various communities to propose rules and regulations unique to their individual needs while retaining the overall unity of the framework. This flexibility ensures that the Constitution can adapt to the differing social, economic, and political realities faced by the Nizari diaspora.
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The Ismaili Constitution is a public document
The Ismaili Constitution is a comprehensive document that covers various aspects of the community's religious, social, and administrative life. It establishes the Leaders' International Forum, which meets periodically to discuss matters affecting the Jamat and make suggestions to the Imam. The Constitution also outlines the roles and responsibilities of Mukhis and Kamadias of jamatkhanas, including performing rituals, registering births and marriages, and maintaining order. Additionally, it provides for an International Conciliation and Arbitration Board to resolve disputes, both civil and domestic, between Ismailis and parties in other countries.
One of the key features of the Ismaili Constitution is its flexibility, allowing different communities to propose rules and regulations unique to their specific contexts while retaining the overall unity of the framework. This flexibility is essential given the diverse social, economic, and political realities faced by the Nizari diaspora in various countries. The Constitution also sets out the essence of Ismaili Shi'i beliefs, affirming all fundamental Islamic beliefs and focusing on the doctrine of the Imamate as envisioned within Nizari theology.
As a public document, the Ismaili Constitution is available to anyone interested, not just Ismailis. It can be accessed through National or Country Councils, as well as Local Councils and Local-ITREBs. The document is published in English, and translations into other languages are treated as such. The availability of the Constitution ensures that all members of the community, regardless of their location or background, have access to the same information and can understand their rights and responsibilities within the community.
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The Ismaili Constitution establishes the Leaders' International Forum
The Ismaili Constitution, also known as "The World Constitution", is a unifying structure of governance for all Nizari Ismaili Muslims and their religious institutions, which are established in over 25 countries and territories. The first Ismaili Constitution was issued on September 9, 1905, by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah during his second visit to East Africa. This constitution, known as "The Rules of the Shi'a Imamia Councils of the Continent of Africa", established a hierarchy of councils and set rules for governing personal relationships within the community, particularly regarding marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
Over time, the Ismaili Constitution has been revised and updated to meet the evolving needs of the community. In 1986, on his 50th birthday, Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim al Hussaini, His Highness Prince Aga Khan, ordained a new constitution for the worldwide Ismaili community. This constitution further solidified the authority of the Imam and outlined the religious identity of the Ismailis.
Article 4 of the Ismaili Constitution establishes the Leaders' International Forum (LIF), a body that meets periodically to discuss matters affecting the Jamat and make suggestions to the Imam. The structure of the LIF includes a chairman and members chosen from the Presidents of the National Councils or appointed by the Imam. The LIF's role is to deliberate and make submissions to the Imam, who has the power to approve and implement these suggestions.
The Ismaili Constitution also establishes various Councils at the national, regional, and local levels. These Councils aid in the social governance, administration, and coordination of activities for the Jamat. The Constitution clarifies the responsibilities of Mukhis and Kamadias of jamatkhanas, including performing rituals, registering births and marriages, and maintaining order. Additionally, it establishes an International Conciliation and Arbitration Board to resolve disputes between Ismailis and parties in other countries.
The Ismaili Constitution is a dynamic document that guides the Ismaili community's governance and religious practices, adapting to the changing social, economic, and political realities they face.
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The Ismaili Constitution gives a unifying structure of governance to all Nizaris
The Ismaili Constitution, also known as "The World Constitution", is a unifying governing structure for Nizari Ismailis and their religious institutions worldwide. It was ordained by His Highness the Aga Khan, Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim al Hussaini, the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, on his 50th birthday on December 13, 1986, in Geneva. The Imam is a direct descendant of the Holy Prophet through Hazrat Mawlana Ali and Hazrat Bibi Fatima.
The Ismaili Constitution succeeds an earlier written set of "Rules and Regulations" for the Ismailis of East Africa, issued by the 48th Ismaili Imam, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, in 1905. This earlier constitution served as a communal constitution, reaffirming the Imam's central authority and articulating the distinctive religious identity of the Ismailis. It was revised and published several times until 1954 and was made available to both Ismailis and non-Ismailis.
The Ismaili Constitution establishes a governance structure that unifies all Nizaris, who are established in over 25 countries and territories worldwide. It provides a flexible framework that accommodates the diverse social, economic, and political realities faced by the Nizari diaspora. This flexibility allows individual communities to propose rules and regulations specific to their unique contexts while maintaining overall unity with other communities through detailed constitutional provisions.
The Constitution establishes the Leaders' International Forum, which meets periodically to discuss matters affecting the Jamat and make suggestions to the Imam, who has the sole power to act on these recommendations. It also sets up a three-level council system, including national, regional, and local councils, to facilitate social governance, administration, guidance, and coordination of activities. These councils aid in preserving Ismaili history and improving the quality of life for the Jamat.
The Ismaili Constitution clarifies the responsibilities of the Mukhis and Kamadias of jamatkhanas, including performing rituals, registering births and marriages, and maintaining order. It establishes an International Conciliation and Arbitration Board to resolve disputes, both civil and domestic, between Ismailis and parties in other countries. It also outlines disciplinary actions for violations, such as contempt or ridicule of the Holy Quran, the Holy Prophet, or the Constitution itself.
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The Ismaili Constitution was first written in 1905
The Ismaili Constitution, also known as "The World Constitution", was first written in 1905. This initial constitution was a set of written rules and regulations, known as "The Rules of the Shi'a Imamia Councils of the Continent of Africa". It was issued by the 48th Ismaili Imam, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, during his second visit to East Africa. The Imam stated, "I have framed rules and regulations for you, which are the token of my memory. If you follow it, you will acquire great benefit. I entrust you these rules and regulations behind me as if my tongue, so follow it."
This first Ismaili Constitution served as a communal constitution for the Ismailis of East Africa, reaffirming the Imam's authority and articulating the distinctive religious identity of the Ismailis. It also established a new administrative organisation in the form of a hierarchy of councils and set rules for governing personal relationships within the community, particularly regarding marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
The Ismaili Constitution of 1905 proved to be a milestone, demonstrating the Ismaili community's ability to provide stability amidst an ever-changing and progressive society. However, it was confined to the workings of the Ismaili Councils in different areas and did not see a printed publication until 1922. Over time, the Ismaili Constitution has been revised and published several times to adapt to the evolving conditions of time and society, with the most recent revision being ordained in 1986 by His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims.
The 1986 constitution, introduced on the occasion of the Aga Khan's 50th birthday, continues to emphasise the importance of spiritual advancement and the improvement of the quality of life for followers. It also highlights the unifying structure of governance that it provides to Ismailis worldwide, allowing for flexibility in rules and regulations to accommodate diverse communities while maintaining an overall unified framework. The 1986 constitution is a public document that is meant to be available to anyone interested, not just Ismailis, reflecting the community's desire for transparency and inclusivity.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ismaili Constitution was written on December 13, 1986, by Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim al Hussaini, His Highness Prince Aga Khan.
The Ismaili Constitution was written by Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim al Hussaini, His Highness Prince Aga Khan.
The Ismaili Constitution is a universal constitution that gives a unifying structure of governance to all Nizaris and their religiously based institutions.
The Ismaili Constitution is significant because it gives a unifying structure of governance to all Nizaris and their religious institutions, fostering collaboration and improving the quality of life for the Ummah and the societies in which they live.
The Ismaili Constitution establishes the authority of the Imam over all religious and Jamati matters, and it sets out the essence of Isma'ili Shi'i beliefs, including the doctrine of the Imamate as envisioned within Nizari theology.
